Spanish Language

SPS Certificate website: https://sps.northwestern.edu/post-baccalaureate/spanish-language/

Today, being able to communicate in a second language is a must for many and a plus for most. And if the language is Spanish, that value increases exponentially. In the United States alone, there are almost 40 million Hispanics who speak the language, plus an additional 2.6 million non-Hispanics. The Spanish Language Certificate offers students specializing in all fields a valuable credential for their proficiency in Spanish and their knowledge of Spanish and Latin American cultures, expanding their horizons to the Spanish-speaking world. 

Whether a learner is a job seeker interested in working for an international corporation; a world traveler who wants richer, more immersive experiences; or a someone wanting to be able to speak directly with family and friends; the Spanish Language Certificate will give the students the tools to be able to communicate in Spanish in non-specialized settings. The program also develops familiarity with the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. As students engage in interactive communicative activities, they learn to participate in a Spanish-speaking environment, preparing them for travel and work in Spanish-speaking countries.

The program’s Northwestern University curriculum is practical and learner-centered, taught by current faculty from Northwestern’s foreign language departments. All courses are offered weekday evenings in the fall, winter, and spring quarters on the Northwestern University campus. Students in the program acquire language and cultural competence through dynamic courses that incorporate multimedia and online teaching tools and real-time classroom interactions. All courses offer one unit of undergraduate credit.

Certificate Offered

Spanish Language Courses

SPANISH 101-A Elementary Spanish (1 Unit)  

Communicative method used for development of speaking, listening, conversation, and grammar skills in a cultural context. For adult learners who seek to learn Spanish in a dynamic way. Students achieve pragmatic, linguistic and cultural competencies adequate for a beginning level. For students with no previous study of Spanish.

SPANISH 101-B Elementary Spanish II (1 Unit)  

Communicative method used for development of speaking, listening, conversation, and grammar skills in a cultural context. For adult learners who seek to learn Spanish in a dynamic way. Students achieve pragmatic, linguistic and cultural competencies adequate for a beginning level. For students with no previous study of Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPANISH 101-A.

SPANISH 101-C Elementary Spanish (1 Unit)  

Communicative method used for development of speaking, listening, conversation, and grammar skills in a cultural context. For adult learners who seek to learn Spanish in a dynamic way. Students achieve pragmatic, linguistic and cultural competencies adequate for a beginning level. For students with no previous study of Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPANISH 101-B.

SPANISH 102-A Intermediate Spanish (1 Unit)  

Communicative method. Further development of grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing skills through emphasis on cultural content and functional use of Spanish language. For adult learners who seek to learn Spanish in a dynamic way. Students achieve pragmatic, linguistic and cultural competencies adequate for an intermediate level.

Prerequisite: SPANISH 101-C, or previous Spanish experience (high school or college, study abroad, etc.) with an equivalent level of proficiency as SPANISH 101-C. Placement ultimately determined by the instructor.

SPANISH 102-B Intermediate Spanish II (1 Unit)  

Communicative method. Further development of grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing skills through emphasis on cultural content and functional use of Spanish language. For adult learners who seek to learn Spanish in a dynamic way. Students achieve pragmatic, linguistic and cultural competencies adequate for an intermediate level.

Prerequisite: SPANISH 102-A, or previous Spanish experience (high school or college, study abroad, etc.) with an equivalent level of proficiency as SPANISH 101-C. Placement ultimately determined by the instructor.

SPANISH 102-C Intermediate Spanish III (1 Unit)  

Communicative method. Further development of grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing skills through emphasis on cultural content and functional use of Spanish language. For adult learners who seek to learn Spanish in a dynamic way. Students achieve pragmatic, linguistic and cultural competencies adequate for an intermediate level.

Prerequisite: SPANISH 102-B, or previous Spanish experience (high school or college, study abroad, etc.) with an equivalent level of proficiency as SPANISH 101-C. Placement ultimately determined by the instructor.